Issue

Furniture

08/01/2006

Comfort is important to contamination-control professionals confined to the cleanroom or lab for extended periods of time. Equally important, however, is ensuring that cleanroom furniture conform to cleanliness requirements, so as not to jeopardize the integrity of the critical environment. This month’s spotlight features a selection of cleanroom furniture that does just that.

Compiled by Angela Godwin

Laminar-flow clean bench

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Clean Air Products recently introduced the Series 305 Horizontal Laminar Flow Clean Bench. The bench features a stainless-steel tabletop with a white painted-steel shell, front access and interior lighting. Models are available for Class 100 or Class 10 [ISO Class 5 or Class 4] environments. Bench length and height depend on the intended process, but standard floor-to-tabletop height is 30 inches. Standard widths are 2.5 inches over nominal 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 increments and the interior depth (interior table or working space) is 21.5 inches. The overall cabinet width, depth and height depend on the size of unit chosen. The clean HEPA-filtered air flows outward from the cabinet, creating horizontal laminar airflow that washes out particulates and prevents contamination from entering the clean work zone. Top and bottom front grills recirculate the air within the bench, which provides recirculating temperature control to within ±0.5°F. The unit can operate at or above ambient temperature, using make-up air for cooling, or it can have an air conditioning unit with reheat for temperature control at or below ambient.

Clean Air Products

Minneapolis, Minn.www.cleanairproducts.com

Cleanroom dispensers

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S-Curve Technologies has recently added more than 25 new designs to its product offering to better meet growing requirements. Dispensers for gloves, shoe covers, garments, bouffants, wipers, face masks, etc., are available for every cleanroom market including sterile product cleanrooms and hospital pharmacies. The MCD-3000 is an extra-large multiple-compartment dispenser with three unique sections. Large enough to hold big quantities but provided with a heavy-duty mounting bracket for wall mounting, this is just one of many multiple-compartment dispensers offered in the new product line.

S-Curve Technologies Inc.

Big Bear Lake, Calif.www.s-curve.com

Unique cleanroom bench

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Palbam Class cleanroom products are manufactured from the highest quality stainless steel 304 grade (316 when requested) and undergo an electropolishing process that produces sterile, clean products suitable for Class 1 to 10,000 (ISO Class 3 to 7). The Swing-Over Bench is a uniquely designed product that fits both form and function. The raised platform on the bench assists in the gowning-up process by allowing the user to easily put on bootie covers. The benches can be connected together and can be used as a separation barrier between areas. The company’s unique flat-packed designs enable almost all Palbam Class products to be shipped economically and installed at the customer’s convenience. The company also designs cleanroom layouts, optimizing cleanroom space and ergonomic factors.

Palbam Class Ltd.

En Harod Ihud, Israelwww.palbamclass.com

Cleanroom tables, chairs and more

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RPA offers a full line of stainless-steel tables, carts, racks, and benches from NTA Industries, which designs and produces stainless-steel cleanroom furniture in the U.S. The company’s furniture can be found in cleanroom production lines, biomedical/pharmaceutical labs and semiconductor fabrication facilities around the world. RPA also offers a full line of ergonomic task and special application seating for the cleanroom and for harsh environments. Gibo/Kodama chairs are made in the U.S. and can be found in cleanroom production lines, biomedical/pharmaceutical labs, and office environments-anywhere ergonomics and productivity are vital to a company’s well-being.

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RPA

Corona, Calif.www.rpaproducts.com

Cleanroom trash bags and stand

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The stainless-steel Trash Bag Stand from Benchmark Products is a trash containment option for your cleanroom or sterile environment. This economical unit is compact for easy assembly and use, and folds flat for convenient storage. It’s made of 304 stainless steel so that it’s autoclavable and holds up to disinfectants. The company also carries cleanroom-certified trash bags and validated sterile trash bags that fit the stand. The trash bags are available in stock in three sizes and various thicknesses.

Benchmark Products

Waukegan, Ill.www.benchmarkproducts.com

Vibration isolation workstation

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Kinetic Systems, Inc. introduces the 9600 Series Vibration Isolation Workstation designed specifically for use in cleanrooms. The workstation is constructed of stainless steel, using cylindrical welded braces for maximum rigidity, minimum flat surfaces, and easy wipe-down. An enclosed isolation module, stainless-steel valves, and vented exhaust keep the 9600 Series in full compliance with Class 1 and Class 10 [ISO Class 3 and 4] cleanroom standards. The unit is available with a choice of finishes: electropolish for Class 1 compatibility or clear passivate for Class 10. The workstation features low natural frequencies and high isolation efficiencies. Under maximum load at 80 psi and 10 Hz, typical vibration isolation efficiencies are 93 percent with a vertical natural frequency of 1.5 Hz and 95 percent with a horizontal natural frequency of 1.6 Hz. It can be ordered with an isolated weight capacity of either 800 or 1,300 lbs. The workstation features the company’s proprietary Active-Air Suspension system, a dual-chamber compressed-air system that provides superior high-performance vibration damping and maintains a preset “zero deflection” level to compensate for load changes. Tables are available up to 36 inches deep and 60 inches wide. Accessories such as guard rails, fixed or sliding shelves, and monitor supports provide additional application-specific convenience.

Kinetic Systems, Inc.

Boston, Mass.www.kineticsystems.com

Countertops and work surfaces

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HEMCO offers a complete line of laboratory casework, counter tops and work surfaces to equip your laboratory. The company’s professional staff works with you to design a laboratory layout that is functional, ergonomic, and flexible, and meets your R&D, ADA, and safety requirements. HEMCO furniture offerings include base cabinets, wall cabinets, base tables, mobile workstations, specialty storage cabinets and peg boards. The company’s Uniline Casework Groupings are designed to incorporate the most popular casework styles and services in one package to meet typical requirements. These groupings are available for quick delivery and easy installation. Services can include a complete turnkey installation to ensure the one-source quality standards that you expect and deserve.

HEMCO Corporation

Independence, Mo.www.HEMCOcorp.com

Cleanroom furniture products

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CleanTech Source is a distributor of specialty cleanroom and laboratory furniture and equipment. The company offers Eagle Group’s complete line of stainless-steel sinks, wire racks, carts and shelving, tables, change-room furnishings, cabinets and countertops. All can be customized for your specific requirements. Eagle’s clean laboratory furniture products are constructed from steel or stainless-steel materials. Eagle’s Vertical Storage Cabinets are 100 percent stainless steel with three or four adjustable shelves. They are available in 304, 316 and 430 stainless steel, with or without electropolishing. The cabinets are available in a variety of standard models, but customized features and sizes are also available. Another example is change-room furniture such as Eagle’s benches, which range from chrome-plated or stainless wire benches to stainless solid-top or perforated electropolished units with footwear storage below. Eagle’s stainless-steel countertops are available in a range of depths, lengths and front and rear configurations. They can be brushed stainless steel or, within size limits, they can be electropolished stainless steel.

CleanTech Source

McKinney, Texaswww.cleantechsource.com

Cleanroom seating

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BioFit ergonomic cleanroom chairs combine certified cleanliness with enhanced user comfort. The seat of each Class 10 [ISO 4] chair features the company’s patented built-in filtration system. The chairs have application in the aerospace, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, computer and bioscience industries. In addition, Biofit’s Class 10 chairs are manufactured in a cleanroom, so they don’t require additional cleaning upon arrival at your location.